The Yankees declined to comment on the story. Lucchino's original Evil Empire crack was made about New York's successful courtship of free-agent pitcher Jose Contreras: "The evil empire extends its tentacles even into Latin America."

Evil Enterprises, Inc., could appeal.

Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.